Taiwan Unveils Water-Powered Mobile Phone Chargers
Fri Oct 02, 2009 8:22 am
Taiwanese researcher said they have developed a mobile phone charger that uses water to recharge a battery in only two hours, boosting the country's efforts to become a player in green technologies.
Scientists at Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute said its "electricity ball" releases hydrogen after charging water into it, able to power a handset without wires.
"Hydrogen is a recyclable material. The device is energy-efficient and will help protect the environment," said Tsau Fanghei, a researcher at the institute. "We will continue to improve the invention and hope the hydrogen-powered device can replace current cell phone recharge systems in 2012."
The new charger is a component of the Taiwan's push to become a player in green technologies. The island, which imports 98 percent of its energy, is under pressure to develop new energy sources.
"The government hopes to acquire a slot in the global green energy industry's production chain with the hydrogen fuel cell technologies," said Yeh Hui-ching, Director of Taiwan's Bureau of Energy. "It seeks to make the sector's key expertise a local content by 2012 and begin commercial production as soon as possible."
